Rainbow Books Idaho

This store is nothing like your typical Barnes and nobles, (not that I don’t enjoy that store as well!) it’s a small shop, but you’re still sure to find something! They have a section for kids as well, so the whole family can enjoy a good book hunt.

I’ll be giving them another try so we will see how it goes next time, this review was based on an experience in 2012 but I just started Unilocaling and still remember it if that tells you anything.
I can say they have a very extensive amount of books, enough to keep you busy for some time looking around and you would really have problems walking out without at least seeing something that peaked your interest. They have a great atmosphere, a simple cozy and quiet that most introverts like me prize.
I found a book I was really really interested in, a paperback that looked abused within an inch of its life, so I totted it around not really knowing how the pricing system worked but figured how much could a beat to heck paper back cost me? 12 dollars. 12 dollars is how much because that is what it was selling for on ebay! ARE YOU KIDDING ME? I thought they were joking, I actually let out a small laugh, then realized… oh by the gods they are serious they want 12 dollars for this book. This beat up paperback among 100’s of a genre no one is likely to really know in Boise as it was based of table top role playing books from the 80’s 12 dollars. Blew my mind. My mind is still blown so excuse the poor form of my review.
Being a customer of Broadway Books my whole life (RIP) I was used to reasonable used book prices, heck being a thrift store book shopper, ½ cover price is pretty typical if not less. If they want to sell obscure abused paper backs for ebay prices I say sell it on ebay. This place has one more shot and I’m heading back there today, but I am STILL to this DAY blown away at their prices.

The cramped place is loaded from floor to ceiling with books, books and more books! It’s like a treasure trove of literary loot! I love it that I can buy new or used, and that they offer a fair value in trade! Many bookstores will include a cat, which is nice. At Rainbow it’s a dog! I could spend hours a Rainbow Books just perusing! I’ve tried other 2^nd hand bookstores in Boise, but in terms of stock, friendliness and availability of popular titles Rainbow Books is the bees knees! PLUS you can take your new friends (books) next door to DK Donuts afterward!

Rainbow is my favorite used bookstore in Boise. They have a big store and lots of choices. They give great recommendations based on authors and genres I already like and they’re so nice. If you’re looking for a good used bookstore in Boise, this is the place.

Rainbow Books is a great place to go for most any general fiction you might be seeking. They have an extensive section for romance, but also respectable stock in most other genres.
My only complaint is regarding their trade in policy. You can trade in books for store credit or for cash, and naturally the store credit amount is far more attractive… the only down side is that you can’t use that credit for any book marked «cash only» or «buy only». And seriously, the only books worth trading for have that written in them. It irks me that the only books I can get on trade are the ones no one else is interested in… It’s a poor business model.
The bottom line is that I spend a lot of money each year on books and I’d like to support local businesses when I can. But it’s significantly cheaper for me to donate my books to Idaho Youth Ranch, get the tax write-​off, and then buy my paperbacks from Amazon.